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Acupressure is an age-old technique closely related to acupuncture with origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While acupuncture requires the use of small needles to target pressure points, or acupoints, throughout the body, acupressure uses pressure from your fingers or hands to target these points.
Acupressure is an easy practice to do by yourself or with help from a friend or family member. According to TCM, acupressure points are located along meridians on the human body. Meridians are pathways in which energy flows, and each corresponds to one of the vital organs (such as the liver, kidneys, etc.). Acupoints are, on average, easy to find: many of them lay in small divots or crooks in the body (such as the temple, behind the knee, etc.). The amount of pressure applied will vary from person to person and depending on where the point is, but you typically want to apply firm pressure for several minutes to reap the full benefits.
In this article, we are going to break down 18 acupressure points for the bladder, such as acupressure points to induce urination and points for an overactive bladder. If you suffer from these problems, or any other bladder issues, read to see how acupressure can help.
Can Acupuncture Help With Bladder Problems?
Quick answer: yes! Acupuncture (and acupressure) has proven to help with thousands of ailments, issues with the bladder being among those ailments. Acupuncture stimulates energy (or “qi” according to TCM), allowing energy to flow throughout the body and promote healing.
All acupressure points discussed below have resulted in great success for people suffering from bladder problems. Whether you’re suffering from an overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and more: you can benefit from the following acupressure points for the bladder. If you are looking for even more information on how acupressure can help bladder issues, check out other articles we have written on acupoint for urinary tract infection and how to unblock bladder meridian. We have articles on other ailments as well, such as acupressure for bloating.
Acupressure Points For Difficulty in Passing Urine
Acupoint: SP-6 (Other Names: Spleen-6/San Yin Jiao/Three Yin Intersection)
Spleen 6, commonly known in English as “Three Yin Intersection”, is located on the inside of the leg, four finger-widths above the inner ankle. According to Dr. Quyen Le, the SP6 acupoint is the junction point of the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. The Dr. explains that this pressure point is used to strengthen the spleen, which in turn restores balance to the Yin and the blood, the liver and kidneys, thus helping greatly with bladder issues.
Other benefits of SP-6 that Dr. Quyen Le observed include regulating menstruation in women, aiding fertility in men and women, alleviating headaches, and helping with diseases of the skin.
Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)
Also known as the “Origin Pass” acupoint, Ren-4 is located on the lower abdomen, four finger-widths below the belly button, on the anterior median line. According to Dr. Quyen Le, this acupoint will connect to and move energy through the spleen, liver, and kidneys, thus resulting in the movement of urine through the bladder.
Dr. Quyen Le also recommends Ren-4 as a great helps for fertility in men and women, as well as for various stomach issues like diarrhea. However, she advises that this point should be avoided on pregnant women, as it could induce premature labor.
Acupoint: Ren-3 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-3/Zhong Ji/Middle Extremity)
Also known as the “Middle Pole” acupoint, CV-3 is located on the lower abdomen, five finger-widths below the belly button, on the anterior median line. Dr. Quyen Le refers to CV-3 as the Front-Mu point of the Urinary Bladder; the crossing point of the Ren Vessel and the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot – (Spleen, Liver and Kidney). Therefore, according to the Dr., it benefits the Urinary Bladder and urination, and it regulates the Lower Jiao and resolves Damp-Heat. So, it is a pressure point that can retain urine.
Dr. Quyen Le also recommends Ren-3 as a great help for spermatorrhea, impotence, irregular menstruation, prolapse of the uterus.
Acupoint: Bl-23 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)
Also known as “Kidney Transporter”, Bl-23 is located in the lumbar region, at the same level as the inferior border of the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), 1.5 cun lateral to the posterior median line.
Dr. Quyen Le explains that Bl-23 is the “shu” point of Kidney, which implies that it treats that organ directly. It strengthens the Kidneys, nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence, strengthens the Kidney’s ability to grasp Qi, and resolves Dampness. It is the main point for disorders in urinary system.
According to the Dr. Quyen Le, Bl-23 can also benefit the ears and bones; strengthen the low back; and help with deafness, tinnitus, bone disease, and irregular menstruation.
Acupoint: ST-36 (Other Names: Stomach-36/Zu San Li/Leg Three Miles)
Also known as the “Leg Three Miles” acupoint, ST36 is located on the lateral side (outside) of the lower leg, one hands’ width below the knee crease, and one finger’s breadth lateral to the tibial crest or shin bone.
Dr. Quyen Le recognizes ST 36 as one of the most important points to tonify Qi and Blood and promote general wellness. It helps stimulate urination.
According to her, it can help you manage Gastric pain, vomiting, hiccup, abdominal distension, borborygmus, and diarrhea.
Acupoint: Bl-28 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-28/Pang Guang Shu/Bladder Transporter)
Also known as “Bladder Transporter”, Bl-28 is 1.5 cun lateral to the midline, at the level of the second posterior sacral foramen. According to Dr. Quyen Le, Bl-28 is the “shu” point of the Bladder, and it treats that organ directly. It regulates the Bladder; resolves Dampness and Damp-Heat; removes stagnation and; opens the water passages, thus helping to move urine.
Dr. Quyen Le is of the opinion that Bl-28 can also help with lower back pain, leg pain, and stomach problems such as diarrhea and constipation.
Acupressure Points For Frequent Urination
Acupoint: Ren-4 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-4/Guan Yuan/Origin Pass)
As mentioned, Ren-4 can help with the free flow of urination; if you suffer from frequent urination, the “Origin Pass” point can help with that as well by regulating energy flow. See above for where this point is and how to engage it.
Acupoint: Bl-23 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)
As mentioned, Bl-23 is used in the free flow of urination treatment. This is the “shu” point of Kidney, and Dr. Quyen Le explains that it strengthens the Kidney’s ability to grasp Qi; hence, it is also effective in frequent urination. See above for where this point is and how to engage it.
Acupoint: Bl-32 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-32/Ci Liao/Second Crevice)
Also known as “Second Crevice”, Bl-32 is located in the region of the sacrum, in the 2nd sacral foramen.
Dr. Quyen explains that in the “Ba Liao” (Eight crevice since there are four crevices on each side), BL-32 is the most important one with the widest indication. Since it can regulate the Lower Jiao, it is main point in treating frequent urination.
Dr. Quyen Le also recommends it as an effective treatment for gynecological disorders, irregular menstruation, and labor pain.
Acupoint: SP-9 (Other Names: Spleen-9/Yin Ling Quan/Yin Mound Spring)
Also known as “Yin Mound Spring”, Sp-9 is located along the spleen meridian and can greatly benefit bladder overactivity. This acupoint can also help with pain in the knee, stomach, and genitals. Located just inside the knee, use a firm pressure on this acupoint.
Acupressure Points For Urine Leakage Especially For Pregnant Women Or Menopause
Acupoint: KI-3 (Other Names: Kidney-3/Tai Xi/Supreme Stream)
Also known as “Supreme Stream”, KI-3 is located in the depression between the inner ankle and the Archilles tendon. According to Dr. Quyen Le, Taixi is the original point of the kidney where the most abundant Qi of the kidney meridian is stored. She recommends this acupoint for diseases of the chest, infertility, insomnia, and urine leakage in women experiencing pregnancy or menopause. KI-3 can also act as a reflexology point for hip pain.
Acupoint: Bl-23 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-23/Shen Shu/Kidney Transporter)
The benefits from Bl-23 described above can greatly help pregnant women with urine leakage! Consult your doctor before using this acupoint, as it has the potential to induce labor, and see above for where and how to engage.
Together with the kidney 9 acupuncture point, they are great acupressure points to rejuvenate your hair.
Acupoint: KI-1 (Other Names: Kidney-1/Yong Quan/Gushing Spring)
Kidney 1, or Bubbling Well, is another great point on the kidney meridian. Located easily on the sole of the foot, between the second and third metatarsal bones, one-third the the distance from the webs of the toes to the heel, KI-1 can help with head ailments (dizziness, headache, coma) as well as vomiting and throat swelling. Many women have experienced less urine leakage with this acupoint!
Interestingly, KI-1 is also a great acupressure point for tinnitus.
Acupoint: Ren-12 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-12/Zhong Wan/Middle Epigastrium)
Ren-12, also known as “zhongwan” or “middle epigastrium”. Dr. Quyen Le describes its location as being on the upper abdomen, at the midpoint of the line connecting the bottom of the sternum and the belly button. According to the Dr. Quyen Le, it can help with urine leakage in pregnant women and women going through menopause. Beside, Ren-12 is one of the 10 best acupressure points for weight loss and heart palpitations treatment.
Acupoint: SP-10 (Other Names: Spleen-10/Xue Hai/Sea of Blood)
Finally, on our list of acupressure points for the bladder, Sea of Blood can greatly help women who experience urine leakage by moving energy throughout the blood. Other ailments helped include irregular menstruation, menstruation cramps, and even eczema! To find the acupoint, sit on a chair and straighten your legs. There will be a depression on the inner side of the knee and the acupoint will be resting on top of the muscle above the depression.
SP-10 is also one of the top 10 acupressure points to relieve body pains & aches.
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